For the Love of Little Brown Fish

Favorite quote from Cory McElroy during PVAS Club Meeting after-glow, "There's always that old guy who sits in the back of the fish club who's just in love with some little brown fish."

We've decided to share photos of some of our (mostly new) "little brown fish" that we're excited about -- and we'd love to see photos of yours!

Caught these girls in (undisclosed location) while on vacation. (Ben) brought home, traveling for . . . many, many hours carrying them in a small 3.5 gal tank between his legs in the car. They are wicked little fish . . . thought they'd maybe be peaceful livebearers. False. We've seen them swarm like a pack of wolves, and bully 5x medium sized goldfish into hollow logs. (Don't fret - they've got their own tank!) After about three months, much to our surprise, we found a fry! (another female). They'll hold their young in for long periods of time until they're ready to give birth.

https://www.fishbase.in/summary/3215

Bought a fascinating pair. Pictured here, F1, male, (female was hiding). Species is named after Jorge Andrés Urteaga Cavero. These are native to Madre de Dios River basin of the Amazon River basin, Peru.

https://www.fishbase.in/summary/26694

Caught as fry in Peru by PVAS Club member, August 2019. Female (on left, lighter, yellow-brown underneath) & Male (right, darker, gray-blue coloration). This pair is sticking together, and shaking at each other in what might be a sort of pre-mating display (though we'd be very surprised if they actually go through with the deed so soon in our water). Another pair in the aquarium has not yet appeared to bond this way.

https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Apistogramma-bitaeniata.html

These guys seem to have some track record in the hobby. We picked up Six of them this week at the PVAS auction. Our two larger ones are sporting a hint of pink, with light blush coloration on fin tips. Their markings leave them looking like they are wearing a constant smile, and we're informed that in full breeding dress, the radiant purplish coloration leaves them aptly nick-named "The Purple Smiler."

https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Laetacara-araguaiae.html

WE'D LOVE TO SEE PHOTOS OF YOUR FAVORITE "LITTLE BROWN FISH!" ATTACH TO COMMENTS BELOW, OR START A NEW POST!